Indicating and recording system.



A. F. DIXON.

INDICATING AND RECORDING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21.1915.

Patented Dec. 25, 1917.

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srnrns PATENT ornion.

AMOS F. DIXON, OE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE-ASSIGNMENTS,-TO

WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INDICATING AND RECORDING SYSTEM; I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1917.

Application filed June 21, 1915. Serial No. 35,344.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMos FREDERICK DIXON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicatingand Recording S stems, of which thefollowing is a full, c ear, concise,and exact description.

This invention relates to indicating and recording systems and itsprincipal ob ect is to provide an improved and simplified system of theremote control type.

In accordance with its general characteristics, the inventioncontemplates a plurality of indicating or recording devices, such, forexample, as. character wheels, each controlled by a group of impulsesseparated by comparatively short intervals and electromagnetic switchingapparatus operating during the comparatively long interval betweengroups of impulses for bringing the recordin devices successively underthe control of t e impulses. The operation of the switching apparatus iseffected through the agency of control means, which is prefera' ly inthe form of a slow-acting electromechanical mechanism. Means areprovided for cooperatingwith the recording devices to effect theproduction of a permanent record, and arrangements are made forproducing a special record when desired.

ThlS system is particularly adapted for fire alarm or police signalingsystems wherein a plurality of outlying stations, each designated by acharacteristic number, may produce a routine central ofiic'e indicationor record, or if occasion requires, effect the production of a specialrecord. It will be readily understood, however, that the system ofconnections, apparatus and method of operation to be hereinafterdescribed, are readily applicable to many other uses, as for example,the indicating of subscribers numbers in telephone systems.

The above and other objects of this invention will be fully set forth inthe following description and claims, and will be morereadily understoodby reference to the accompanying d1 awing wherein the system ofconnections and the preferred form of apparatus is showndiagrammatically.

The indicating or recording devices comprise a plurality ofelcctromagnets 1, 2 and 3 and associated character wheels 11, 12 and r aspecial recordin wheel 20 for producing a special record suc 1 as theword Fire.

The current impulses for controlling the indicating or recording devicesare transmitted in groups of one or more impulses each over a lineconductor L interconnecting the central station with one or moreoutlying stations S, each of which may comprise a code transmitter ofany desired type. In the drawings, the transmitter is illustrated by acode impulse wheel 24 which is provided with groups of conducting teethfor imparting groups of current impulses from a grounded source ofenergy 25 to the line. These impulses upon reaching the central station,pass into a pair of branch circuits 26 and 27.

Branch circuit 27 is adapted to be successively associated withelectromagnets 1,2 and 3, during the intervals between groups ofimpulses, by switching apparatus which becomes active only during theseintervals. This switching apparatus comprises .a primary switching relay30, a secondary switching relay 31 and a switching control relay 32.Relay 30 is provided with three armatures 33, 34 and 35, while relay 31has two armatures 36 and 37, and relay 32 has one armature 38. Thesecondary switching relay 31 is provided with an operating winding 40and a holding winding 41. Its armature 36 is associated with a frontcontact connected to a grounded source of energy 42 and its armature 37cooperates with back and front contacts 43 and 44.- Armature 33 of relayv3O is connected to one terminal of the winding of relay 32 andcooperates with a front contact connected with a grounded source ofenergy 45, while'armature 34 cooperates with back .and front contacts 46and 47. Armature 38 ofv relay 32 cooperates with back and front contacts48 and 49.

The action of the switching apparatus is confined to the comparativelylong intervals between groups' of impulses through the agency of acontrol means or time-controlled switching mechanism 55. comprises aconstantly rotating screw 56 whose threads are adapted to be engaged bya spring-tensioned pawl 57. Pawl 57 is pivotally carried by a pivotedlever 58 which is connected to a grounded source of energy 59 andco6perates with a contact 60. One end of lever 58 coiiperates with apivoted and spring-tensioned T-shaped control and stop lever 65, whichis adapted to be acted upon by an electromagnet 66 located in the branchcircuit 26. If desired, the rotation of screw 56 may be started when thefirst impulse comes over the line by providing a clutch, controlled byan electromagnet, such as electromagnet 66, between the screw and itssource of power. The lower end of lever 65 isformed into a stop member67 adapted in normal condition to engage the edge of a raised portion ofa cam 68. Cam 68, through the agency of a spring or other motor, tendsto rotate in the direction of the arrow, but is normally preventedfromsuch rotation by the engagement of stop67 and the edge of its raisedportion. Cam 68 controls'the operation of a switch 69, and its action isfurther controlled by a pivoted and spring-tensioned lever 70 adapted tobe acted upon by an electromagnet 71.

If a permanent record of the characters selected is desired, f thecharacters on the wheels 11, 12 and 13 are raised so that they may beimpressed upon a paper strip brought into engagement therewith bysuitable coiiperating electro-mechanical means. This means comprises animpression mem ber 75 operated by an impression magnet 76 whose actionis a-dapted'to impress a strip of pa er 77 upon the character wheels.

11 order to produce the special record appearing upon the specialrecording wheel 20, there is provided a special impression member 80actuated by a special impression v magnet 81. The operation of thismagnet is controlled through the agency of, a lever 85, which forms apart of the previously mentioned control means, and to which is pivoteda -spring-tensioned pawl 86 also adapted to engage the threads of screw56. Lever 85 is connected to a grounded source of energy 87 cotiperateswith a contact 88 and is controlled by one extension of the lever 65.The attraction of the armature of electromagnet 81, in addition tocausing theoperation of impression member 80, also ef This apparatusfollows: The first impulse of the first group causes current from source25 to flow through branches 26 and 27. The current through branch 26energizes electromagnet 66 and that in branch 27 flows through armature31 and contact 46 and energizes electromagnet 1. The energization ofelectromagnet 1, through the agency of armature 17, pawl 16 and ratchetwheel 15, causes character wheel 11 to advance one step. The current inbranch 26 causes the energization of electromagnet 66 which rotates theT shaped lever about its pivot against the tension of its spring. Thismovement of lever 65 causes lever 58 to move about its pivot, carryingpawl 57 along the screw 56- so that when the electromagnet isdenergized, the cotiperation of screw 56 and pawl 57 will cause acomparatively slow return movement of lever 58 in an attempt to restorethe apparatus to the normal condition shown in the drawing. The movementof lever 58 has also broken its engagement with contact 60" which opensthe circuit from source 59, to armature 38, and contact 48 of relay 32through the winding of relay 30. The movement of lever 65 has alsowithdrawn one of its extensions from engagement with lever 85 and haswithdrawn stop 67 from engagement with the elevated portion of cam 68.The release of lever 85 allows screw 56 and pawl 86, to rotate thislever about its pivot, but the movement performs no function at thistime. The release of cam 68 allows it to revolve in the direction of thearrow until its elevated portion engages lever 70, when its movement isarrested. The movement of the cam has also effected the closure ofswitch 69, which prepares a circuit from ground, through the winding ofrelay 30, contact 48 and armature 38 of relay 32, to contact 60. Thesucceeding four impulses of the first group arrivein suchrapidsucclession that electromagnet 66 is notdenergized long enough toallow screw 56, through the agency of pawl 57, to return lever 58 to theposition where it will engage contact 60. Each of these impulses,however, has energized electromagnet 1, causing character wheel 11 to beadvanced four additional steps, in which condition numeral 5 is in aposition tobe seen through-a suitable window in the hous- 'ing or to beimpressed upon paper 77. In a sim lar manner, the short current impulseshave not energized electromagnet 66 for a sufliciently long unbrokenperiod to allow screw 56, through pawl 86, to cause the engagement oflever 85 and contact 88. Durmg the comparatively long no currentinterval between the first and second group of impulses, electromagnet66 is deenergized a' suificient length of time for lever 58 to bereturned by screw 56 and pawl 57 to the position where it engagescontact 60, and the previously traced circuit through switch 69 andrelay 30 is completed to grounded source 59. The flow of current in thiscircuit causes relay 30 to attract its armatures 33, 34 and 35. Armature33 prepares a circuit from grounded source through relays 32 and 30 toground at switch 69, but it will be noted that as long as lever 58 andcontact 60 are in engagement, this circuit is shunted so that relay 32does not receive sufiicient current for its energization. The attractionof armature 34 switches branch 27 from contact 46 to contact 47, so thatthe next impulse arriving over line L will cause the energization ofelectromagnet 2 instead of electromagnet 1. The attraction of armature35 performs no function at this time.

According to our previous assumption, the second group of four impulseswill now arrive from the transmitting station. These impulses findparallel paths to ground through branches 26 and 27. Those throughbranch 27 passby way of armature 34 and contact 47 of relay 30 andarmature 37 and contact 43 of relay 31 to electromagnet 2, causing itthrough its armature, pawl and ratchet wheel to advance character wheel2 four steps. Numeral 4 of wheel 12 is now in position to be impressedupon the paper. The energization of electromagnet 66 actuates lever 58,as previously described, interrupting the circuit previously tracedthrough relay 30, which removes the shunt from about relay32, and thisrelayattracts its armature 38 against contact 49. A holding circuit,independent of contact 60, is now established from source 45 throughrelays 32 and 30 and switch 69. As before, the im ulses of the secondgroup arrive in such quic succession that electromagnet 66 is notdeenergized for a period long enough to allow lever 58 to reengagecontact 60, but during the comparatively long interval between thesecond and third groups, this is accomplished and a circuit is completedfrom grounded source 59, through contact 60, armature 38 and contact 49of relay 32, operating winding 40 of relay 31, to ground at switch 69.Relay 31 pulls up its armatures 36 and 37, armature 36 completing aholding circuit from grounded source 42 through holding winding 41 toground at switch 69, and armature 37 switching the connection of branch27 from electromagnet 2 to electromagnet 3..' The two impulses of thislast group now cause the interruption of the previously. traced circuitfrom source 59, and cause character Wheel 13 to be advanced two steps.

The first step of character wheel 13 causes the closing of a switch 100,whereupon a circuit is prepared from contact 60 through electromagnet71', switch 100 and impression magnet 76 to ground. This circuit iscompleted through source 59, upon the cessation of the last impulse ofthe third group, by the character wheels, impressing thereon thecharacters selected, while electromagnet 71 withdraws the end of lever70 from engagement with the raised portion of cam 68. Cam .68 thereuponcompletes its rotation until arrested by stop 67, in which conditionswitch 69 is opened; The opening of switch 69 breaks the previouslytraced circuits from sources 42 and 45 through relay 31 and relays 30and 32, respectively; these relays release their armatures and theapparatus returns to normal. The character wheels can be returned atthis time by any of the usual means, such, for example, as springs.

A time recording mechanism .101, which may comprise a self containedclock and time stamp or a remotely controlled time stamp of the usualcharacter, may also be provided against which the impression member 75carries the paper to impress thereon the time of making the record. In awellknown manner electromagnet 76 may also control a paper feedingdevice, so that after the productlon of eachrecord the paper is moved topresent a clean surface to the recording devices.

In case a special signal, such as the fire signal, is to be transmittedfrom any station, that stations characteristic group and impulsecombination is sent over the line followed by a special set of impulses,which in the specific system disclosed, consists of two short impulsesseparated by an impulse of longer duration. The impulses characteristicof the particular station operate the recording devices and produce therecord, and the apparatus returns to normal as previously described.

The first special impulse operates electro magnets 1 and 66 as before,and the special recording device 20, attached to character wheel 11, ismoved one step, in which condition the designation fire is in a positionto be impressed upon the paper. The interval between the first andsecond impulses, being as long as that which ordinarily exists betweengroups, provides for'the energization of relay 30. The long impulse nowarrives and electromagnets 2 and 66 are energized. These electromagnetscause the actuation of character wheel 12 and lever 65 in the usualmanner. This impulse, however, should be of sufficient duration to causeelectromagnet 66 to be-energized long enough forscrew 56 completed fromgrounded source 87, lever 85, contact 88, armature 35 and itscotiperating front contact of relay 30, electromagnet 81 to ground atswitch 69. Electromagnet 81 attracts its armature and forces specialimtraced circuit has been broken by the separation of lever 85 andcontact 88.

During the interval between the long and short impulses, relay 31 isenergized and circuit 27 is switched to electromagnet 3, as previouslydescribed. The last impulse energizes electromagnets 3 and 66. Electro-'magnet 3 causes character wheel 13 to ad-. vance one step, effecting theclosure of switch 100, whereupon, after the cessation of this impulsewhen lever 58 engages contact 60, a circuit is completed from groundedsource 59, through electromagnet 71 and switches 100 and 97 to ground.l/Vhile electromagnet 76 'is also grounded, it will be noted that it is'short-circuited so that impressionmember 75 does not act. The currentin this circuit energizes electromagnet 71 which allows cam 68 tocomplete its rotation and the apparatus is restored to normal aspreviously described, the holding circuit for relay 81 being broken uponthe opening of switch 69.

Thus, in the specific system disclbsed,

three group of impulses, each of which, it 1s understood, may compriseone or more 1mpulses, may selectively control the position-.

ing of the three character wheels and produce a characteristicindication or a record upon a suitable medium. lVhen desired, thesecharacteristic records may be supplemented by a special record. Ofcourse, the number of wheels may be changed and many other modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is tobe, understood thatin the claims the word group is used to signify oneor more impulses.

' The invention claimed is:

1. An indicating system comprising a lurality of indicating devices,each contro led by a group of current impulses, and automaticelectromagnetic switching apparatus made active during the intervalbetween groups of impulses for bringing said devices successively underthe influence of the impulses.

2. A recording system comprising a plurality of recording devices, eachcontrolled by a group of current impulses, automatic switching apparatusoperating between groups of impulses for. bringing said devicesuccessively under the influence of the impulses, and means cooperatingwith said devices for effecting the production of a permanent record.

3. An indicating system comprising a plurality of indicating devices,each controlled by a group of current impulses separated bycomparatively short intervals, automatic electromagnetic switchingapparatus for bringing said devices successively under the influence ofthe impulses, and control means affected by the impulses for controllingthe operation of said apparatus during the comparatively long intervalbetween groups of impulses.

4. A recording system comprising a p1u rality of recording devices, eachcontrolled by a group of current impulses separated by comparativelyshort intervals, automatic switching apparatus for bringing said'devices successively under the influence of the impulses, control meansaffected by the impulses for effecting the operation of said apparatusduring the comparatively long interval between groups of impulses, andmeans cooperating with said devices for effecting the production of apermanent recor 5. An indicating system comprising a plurality ofindicating devices, each controlled by a group of current impulses, anautomatic switching relay for bringing said devices successively underthe influence of the impulses, and a slow acting electromechanicalcontrol means for effecting the operation of said relay.

6. A recording rality of recording devices, each controlled by a groupof current impulses, a switching relay for bringing said devicessuccessively under the influence of the impulses, an impression meanscooperating with said device for effecting the production of a permanentrecord, and an automatic slow acting electromechanical control meansfor, con-- system comprising 'a plutrolling the operation of said relayand said impression means.

7. In a recording system, the combination of a plurality of recordingdevices, each controlled by a group of current impulses, an automaticelectromagnetic switching apparatus operating between groups of impulsesfor bringing said devices successively under the influence of theimpulses, and

-means controlled by impulses for producing a special record.

8. In a recording system, the combination of a plurality of recordingdevices, each con-' trolled by a group of current impulses, an automaticelectromagnetic switching apparatus forbringing said devicessuccessively under the influence of the impulses,-an impression mean forproducing a special record, and a slow acting control means foreffecting the operation of said apparatus between groups of impulses andsaid impression means upon a prolonged impulse.

9. Ina recording system, a transmission 5 line, a plurality of recordingdevices located at a-central station and adapted to be operatedsequentially by groups of line current impulses, automatic switchingapparatus operating between groups of line current 10 impulses forbrlnging said devices successively under the influence of the lineimpulses, a time-controlled switching mechanism, and electromechanicalmeans cooperati'ng with said devices and said switching mechanism foreffecting the production of a permanent record.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 18th day of June,A. D. 1915.

AMOS F. DIXON.

